The Ukiah Area California Highway Patrol will conduct a driving-under-the-influence checkpoint today, August 24, somewhere in the unincorporated area of Mendocino County.

“All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by intoxicated drivers,” said Capt. Paul Davis, Ukiah Area”s CHP commander. The goal of the CHP is to ensure the safe passage of each and every motorist by targeting roads where there is a high frequency of intoxicated drivers. “A sobriety checkpoint is a proven effective tool for achieving this goal and is designed to augment existing patrol operations,” Davis said.

“Traffic volume permitting, all vehicles will be checked for drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” Davis emphasized. “Our objective is to send a clear message to those individuals who consider driving and mixing alcohol or drugs: you will be caught.”

The sobriety checkpoint will be staffed by CHP personnel trained in the detection of alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers. CHP Drug Recognition Experts, certified by the National Highway Traffic Administration will be onsite to provide on the spot assessment of drivers suspected of drug use.

Funding for this project was provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety.

For more information, contact CHP Ukiah Area Public Information Officer Steve Krul at 467-4040.